Presidents' Day..Did You Know?

George Washington is the only president who didn't blame the previous administration for his troubles.
~Author Unknown


It's Presidents' Day.  A day off from school, maybe work.  A day that you can't send mail or deal with any type of government body (unless it's an emergency, of course).  Surprisingly our local state college is open for classes, our bus system is running on full schedule, and our garbage is collected as normal.  My neighborhood is quiet today.  We live across the street from a grade school that has no off street parking so it is normally crowded with cars from teachers and school employees.  The bus runs part of their route down our street and deliveries to the school office are made at curbside.  Luckily, we only have the classroom side so we don't have the constant sound of children on the playground.  Today it is quiet, ample parking abounds and no heavy vehicles idling outside.  What a difference a holiday can make!

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

Presidents Washington and Lincoln
This being the Presidents' Day I thought it might be interesting to share a few not so well known facts about our two most famous presidents:

Washington
*He suffered from malaria, smallpox, pleurisy, and dysentery, all before he was 30.
*When the capital was moved from New York to Philadelphia, Washington, who had been disappointed in the food that he had been eating as President, brought his black slave Hercules from Mount Vernon to serve as cook.
*On his way back from the famous expedition to the French Fort le Boeuf, he fell off his raft in an icy river and nearly drowned.
*Washington was notorious in his parish church for his refusal to kneel at any of the customary moments in the Episcopal service.

Lincoln
*Lincoln was never associated with any organized church, and as a young man in New Salem he had a reputation as an outspoken nonbeliever.
*Lincoln was the only President ever to obtain a patent. In 1849 he invented a complicated device for lifting ships over dangerous shoals by means of "buoyant air chambers."
*Lincoln was the 1st major leader in our history to favor extending the vote to women.
*After the death of his son Willie, Lincoln was persuaded by his wife to participate in several seances held in the White House.

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FINALLY FINISHED

Friday I finally finished my mini quilt.  I started this little quilt mid October (I think) and finished the top about 10 days later.

This is now hanging in my bathroom.  The colors are perfect for this room.  With the blue walls I quite often accent with red.  This is where it will remain until another is made to replace it.  It can also double as a table topper for a table in my living room.

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A GIFT

Friday's mail brought me a squishy envelope that I was not expecting.

 

My friend, Toni, sent me this wonderful appliqued kitchen towel as a Valentine's Day surprise gift!  Isn't it adorable!  Makes me hungry every time I look at it!  You can visit Toni's great blog at the Quilting Pirate .  Thank you so very much, Toni!!

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A SWAP BLOCK RECEIVED

Saturday's mail brought me another squishy envelope.  This one contained a block from my Block Swap Adventure swap partner for February.

This block was made by Munaiba.  The colors are perfect - I requested red, white, and blue.  The sewing is wonderful and the fabrics are fantastic.  You can visit Munaiba at her blog, Sewjournal.  Thank you, Munaiba.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will work on my super mini quilt - a little 6" quilt that I'm trying to change every month.  Have to get ready for March!

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GIVEAWAYS

Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia is having a Christmas giveaway.  Crafty Pugs is giving away 3 Christmas related magazines.  You do not have to be a swap member to enter.  This giveaway will end on Sunday, February 27, at 5:00pm ACDST (so that's February 26 for us in the USA).

Vignette in Stitches is having a giveaway.  Perri is giving away a copy of Leanne's 'Stitcher's Keeper' pattern.  This ends Wednesday, February 23, at 6 am QLD time.

The Confused Quilter is having a Little Used Book Giveaway.  Staci is giving away 7 slightly used books that are still in good condition.  This giveaway will end on Friday, February, 25th.

Confessions of a Fabric Addict is having a giveaway.  You could be a winner of a wonderful Chasing Cottons pattern.  This giveaway will remain open until Saturday, February 26, at 5:00 pm CST.

This is the last day to enter my THINK SPRING GIVEAWAY!!   You must enter by tonight at 11:59 pm PST.  Good Luck!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Part of my weekend ended up different that I had planned.  We made a trip south to take our granddoggie home to my DD and SIL.  They had to make a whirlwind trip to Tucson, AZ to pick up SIL's Dad and bring him back to near their home.  They made the round trip in 27 hours.  Exhausting for them as most of the return trip was made through hard rain showers.  We had gladly accepted the job of doggie sitting and thought we would save them the trip up to retrieve Samson.  We left here with misty, overcast skies.  Saw beautiful snow scenes but dry roads going over the mountains into southern California.  DD prepared BBQ hamburgers for lunch upon our arrival and the weather was perfect for a early spring day - sunny and warm.  We returned to mostly cloudy and cooler temps.  No sewing but did some crocheting.  Sometimes an unexpected trip is nice for a day's diversion.

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.
~Seneca

May your Monday be marvelous!!